IM Peer Learning

Initiated by University of Galway Students’ Union in 2013, CÉIM is run as a partnership between students, academic staff and the Students’ Union.

CÉIM supports 1st year students to transition successfully to University of Galway, make friends and create connections within their subject area, develop a sense of belonging, gain a greater understanding of coursework and ultimately proceed to 2nd year.

 

CÉIM is available to over 2,000 1st year students studying:

 

•  Engineering & Project and Construction Management   •  Geography   •  Law (all programmes including BA Law) 

•  Political Science & Sociology   •  Psychology   •  Social Sciences   •  Spanish   •  Biotechnology •  Science 

•  Genetics & Genomics   •  Biomedical Science   •  Computer Science and Information and Technology   

 

 

Weekly CÉIM peer learning sessions are student led and are about working collaboratively in small groups to develop independent learning skills, discuss new topics on the course, prepare for upcoming assignments and exams, and have some fun! The atmosphere is welcoming and friendly, and students are encouraged to ask any questions they may have about University of Galway and their course. Regular CÉIM participants are awarded a Collaborative Learner digital badge.

Find out about CÉIM activities and impact

Benefits of attending CÉIM

Make Friends Icon

Make Friends

Settle in Quickly Icon

Settle in Quickly

Understand Coursework Icon

Understand Coursework

Develop New Skills Icon

Develop New Skills

Background & Impact

CÉIM, which means ‘step’ or ‘degree’ in Irish, is a form of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL), also known as Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS). It derives from the Supplemental Instruction model devised in the United States in 1973, which today can be found at over 1,500 universities and colleges in more than 29 countries. International research has consistently shown that PAL schemes deliver benefits for participants, student leaders and universities as a whole.

CÉIM won the ‘Student Engagement Activity of the Year Award’ at the Student Achievement Awards Ireland in 2016. In 2019, the external CINNTE institutional quality review and subsequent report commended the work conducted by CÉIM and recommended it be mainstreamed.

The research on CÉIM from various disciplines consistently shows that regular CÉIM attendees are more likely to perform better academically than those who attend irregularly or not at all. 1st year students at University of Galway also consistently report that CÉIM has helped them settle into university life and make friends.

Read an article on CÉIM published in the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education in late 2015. ‘From students to leaders: evaluating the impact on academic performance, satisfaction and student empowerment of a pilot PAL programme among first year students and second year leaders’.